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Brit Chart Topper On NZ Tour

Mar 6th, 2010 by Sharon

British chart-topper Newton Faulkner will open his New Zealand tour with a performance at Christchurch’s NZ International Jazz & Blues Festival on Saturday, April 10.

In his relatively young career, Faulkner has shared a stage with James Morrison, Paolo Nutini, The Fray, Chris Martin, John Butler Trio and John Mayer, but now he is going it alone.

It has been a remarkable journey for the dread-locked singer and acoustic guitarist who was nominated for a Brit Award in the Best Male category in 2008.

Just a year after topping the charts with his soulful number one double platinum album Hand Built By Robots, featuring the hit single Dream Catch Me, a shattered wrist put his career in serious jeopardy.

One metal plate and a six-inch scar later, Faulkner was back, creating his follow-up album, the aptly titled Rebuilt By Humans.

Now, following an impressive sell-out UK tour, Faulkner is coming to New Zealand. His first New Zealand performance will be in Christchurch when he performs at the James Hay Theatre on Saturday, April 10, as part of the New Zealand International Jazz & Blues Festival.

Faulkner is one of a host of talented musicians from around New Zealand and the globe who have been chosen to perform at the annual New Zealand International Jazz & Blues Festival, which starts in Christchurch on April 5 and runs until April 11.

The festival is New Zealand ‘s biggest combined jazz and blues event and offers music lovers the chance to enjoy live performances in a myriad of Christchurch venues, from large auditoriums to small intimate spaces and chic city lanes.

Posted in 2010 and onwards, Artists, Celebrity News, Charts/Billboard, Concerts, Inspirational, Jazz, Music | No Comments »

National Community Awards

Mar 5th, 2010 by Sharon

Genesis Energy lake to Lighthouse Challenge prepares to represent Wairoa District

Just one more week and the Genesis Energy Lake to Lighthouse Challenge will be going head to head with the country’s best and brightest voluntary groups and organisations at the TrustPower National Community Awards.

The 2009 TrustPower National Community Awards are being held in Nelson/Tasman from 12 – 14 March 2010.

The Genesis Energy Lake to Lighthouse Challenge is representing the Wairoa District at the National Awards – an honour they won after being named Supreme Winner at the TrustPower Wairoa Community Awards last year. The TrustPower Wairoa Community Awards are run in conjunction with Wairoa District Council.

Joining the Genesis Energy Lake to Lighthouse Challenge at the National Awards will be representatives from 24 other voluntary groups or organisations from around the country that were named Supreme Winner at their regional TrustPower Community Awards.

At the Nationals, the Lake to Lighthouse Challenge will give an eight minute presentation on what the group has achieved and why they deserve the title of TrustPower National Community Award Winner. The Lake to Lighthouse Challenge will be judged on that presentation, along with a 1,000 word summary of the organisation. The presentations will take place on Saturday 13 March at the Nelson School of Music, with the Winner and Runner-Up being announced at an Awards dinner that evening being held at the World of Wearable Arts and Classic Cars Museum (WOW).

Genesis Energy Lake to Lighthouse Challenge spokesperson Fenton Wilson says that it is a great privilege to represent Wairoa at the National Community Awards.

TrustPower Community Relations Representative Teresa Partridge says the Genesis Energy Lake to Lighthouse Challenge have put together a fantastic presentation.

Attending the National Awards from the Genesis Energy Lake to Lighthouse Challenge will be Fenton Wilson and Wendy Swan, along with Mayor Les Probert and Makere Jones.

The TrustPower National Supreme Award Winner will take home $2,500, a framed certificate and a trophy as well as a prize package valued at $1,500 from Foresee Communications, specialists in sponsorship and fundraising resources, training and advice. The Runner Up will receive $1,500 and a framed certificate.

Posted in 2010 and onwards, Awards, Community News, Competitions, National Competitions, National News | No Comments »

How Well Do We Know Our Celebrities?

Mar 5th, 2010 by Sharon

So you reckon you know all about your celebrity? You may have to revise that thought.
Some of them barely know their own family history.

Seven of America’s leading stars of movies, television and sports share their journeys into their pasts in NBC’s new TV series Who Do You Think You Are? starting on Friday.

The show takes former Friends star Lisa Kudrow back to the World War Two pogroms — destruction and killing — in Belarus; Sex and the City, actress Sarah Jessica Parker discovers ancestors from the California gold rush; and African American director Spike Lee finds he may have more Caucasian blood than he thought.

“I’ve always known who I am, but I think I now know myself more,” Lee says of his family connections to slavery in the United States.

Actresses Brooke Shields and Susan Sarandon, actor Matthew Broderick and Hall of Fame footballer Emmitt Smith are also featured.

Part documentary and part historical accounting, the series takes viewers and the stars back to events like the Salem witch trials and the immigrant slums of 19th century New York.

It is already being dubbed by some critics as the potential Roots of the 21st century — a reference to the Emmy-winning 1977 TV drama series about African-American slavery.

Those profiled in Who Do You Think You Are being mainly friends of executive producers Kudrow and actor Dan Bucatinsky, who were approached with the idea of taking part in a U.S. version of the popular British TV series of the same name.

Research is done by genealogists and historians, and with the help of popular web site ancestry.com. But the celebrities know little in advance of where their personal journey will take them, both physically and emotionally.

“Everyone was nervous to go on the journey…They (the producers) are learning as they’re going along. They wouldn’t even tell us — they would say we need your passport because we need to get a visa, ” Kudrow said.

“They would also say, you’ll need clothes for winter weather for three days, and then it will be warm weather…So they really help you prepare but they don’t give you any information,” she said.

Shields’ journey goes back to 17th century French royalty. But some others hit brick walls where the trail runs out earlier along the road.

“With African American stories, there’s that barrier of slavery where there are just no records a lot of the time. And then also for Jews who came from very small shtetls, there are no records because the synagogues were all burned down by the Nazis,” Kudrow said.

Although the initial spotlight is on celebrities, ordinary people, and America’s rich history, are the real stars.

“While the person who is taking the audience on this journey is well known, their great-great grandfather was not famous. The people that we’re focusing on in these stories are ordinary people,” Kudrow said.

Posted in 2010 and onwards, Actor/s, Artists, Celebrity News, Global News, TV News | No Comments »

The Great NZ Bridal Show 2010 -Most Anticipated Wedding Show- 18 April Addington Raceway

Mar 5th, 2010 by Sharon

Genuino-B BridalShow 2010 NZWedding add

Yes, this most anticipated Wedding Show of the year is on -The Great NZ Bridal Show is on Sunday 18 April 2010 at Addington Convention Centre,  Addington Raceway from 9.30am- 4.00pm.
Hundreds of Free Car Parking.
Thousands of Dollars of Prizes.
The Biggest and the longest running Wedding Show where we consider both the prospective Bride & Grooms and the wedding industry professionals!

Robyn Cliffe is renown for her prestigious fashion and wedding shows. The Great NZ Bride & Groom Show 2010 is where South Island’s top wedding professionals come to showcase their products and services for your very special day! Also featuring professionals from the North Island.

Why you should not miss this Wedding Show of the Year:

1. Two Bridal Fashion Shows hosted by one of the best recognised faces on NZ  television, Jason Gunn.

2. Celebrity highlights include Dancing With The Stars‘ Nerida Cortese & Aaron Gilmore showcasing the first wedding dance  for the first time.

Nerida

3.  Featuring  Stars In Their Eyes winner, the beautiful Mandy Pickering opening the most anticipated Bridal Fashion Parade of the year!

Mandy-pickering1-300x214[1]

4. Thousands of dollars of prizes including the following:
The Wedding Centre & Top Businesses’ Wedding Package for over $10,000-
Venue:  Pemberton  www.pembertonvenues.co.nz
Bridal Gown: Robyn Cliffe Couturiere  www.robyncliffe.co.nz
Wedding Cars: Crown Limousines www.crownlimousines.com
Caterer: Victoria Food Services  www.victoriafoods.co.nz
Photographer: Lumo Photography  www.lumo.co.nz
Stationery: The Drawing Room www.thedrawingroom.co.nz
Decoration: Acropolis Wedding Decorators  www.acropolisweddings.co.nz
Music:  Too Chic  www.toochic.co.nz
Makeup: Selina Nunn www.selinanunn.co.nz
Alcohol: Super Liquor Papanui  www.superliquor.co.nz
Guest Transport: CH.CH. Coach Charters
Honeymoon:  Terrace Downs  www.terracedowns.co.nz
Wedding Co-ordination: The Wedding Centre

*Conditions apply – see in-store Enter Competition in-store at:
The Wedding Centre,296 Montreal Street (opp. The Arts Centre)

5. Win a fabulous Fiji Cruise Holiday- and yes including airfares with House of Travel

6. Peppers Bride of the Year Competition: The South Island’s Premier Bridal Competition-FIRST PRIZE:
Two nights in a luxury room, champagne on arrival, breakfast each day and dinner in our fabulous restaurant in the evening with matching wine. Total value of prize $2,000. Valid at Peppers Clearwater, Tekapo and Queenstown.

7. Hundreds  of FREE car parking right at the venue

8. Longest running wedding show!

9. Your opportunity to see and take advantage of the Who’s Who of NZ wedding industry

Don’t miss this year’s Bridal Fashion Show- tipped to be the nation’s best fashion show of the year!
Entry $15.00 each

BridalShow 2010 NZWedding add

The Great NZ Bride & Groom Show- Addington Convention Centre, Addington. Sunday 18 April 2010.
www.robyncliffe.co.nz or phone 64 3 365 5200

Posted in 2010 and onwards, Bridal show, Celebrity News, Community News, Competitions, Crown Limousines NZ Ltd, Dance, Dancing With The Stars (NZ), Events, Fashion & Glamour, Fashion Shows, Sharon;s Major Global Events, Sharonlingham.com, Stars in Their Eyes, Television, Television star, The Great NZ Bride & Groom Show, Wedding Show, Wedding Show/ Bridal Show, wedding expo | No Comments »

The Documentary Edge Awards

Mar 4th, 2010 by Sharon

Awards From The Edge

Documentary Edge Festival 2010 is delighted to announce that Last Train Home (director Lixin Fan) scooped
“Best International Feature Documentary” at last night’s award ceremony.

Fan’s sophisticated debut documentary captures the anguish and heartbreak of a family that are separated and are continuing to grow apart. This Intimate and candid film highlights the dramatic changes sweeping China and shows what the costs are for families that have to migrate to the city to financially survive. Stolen was also highly regarded amongst judges – earning a ‘Special Mention’ during the ceremony, which was held at the Ray Freedman Arts Centre in Epsom.

The International Best Director accolade was shared by both Yoav Shamir for Defamation, his controversial, deeply personal and witty look at the place of anti-Semitism in today’s society whereas Zhao Liang was recognized for Petition, a passionate piece which took twelve years to complete.

The Documentary Edge Festival expanded the “Local” category this year to further celebrate the passion and dedication of New Zealand filmmakers. Shirley Horrock was flush with awards for her chronicles of the New Dance Group in Dance of the Instant. It earned the “Best NZ Short Documentary”, “Best NZ Research” and “Best NZ Educational Documentary” awards in the New Zealand competition. The Unnatural History of the Kakapo also hit a home run scooping four awards– “Best NZ Feature Documentary”, “Best NZ Souind”, “Best NZ Cinematography” and “Best NZ Director”.

Gaylene Preston became the very first recipient of the “Outstanding Contribution to NZ Documentary Industry” award, as Documentary Edge recognized her work in the field of real-life story telling.

An award was also presented for the Best Pitch at the Documentary Edge Forum which was given to Welingtonian Simon Burgin for his project Bring It on Home.

Full winners from last night’s ceremony as below: (International Competition)
Best Short Documentary – Winner: The Solitary Life of Cranes
Best Feature Documentary – Winner: Last Train Home. Special Mention: Stolen
Best Editing – Winner: Stolen
Best Cinematography – Winner: At the Edge of the World
Best Director – Winner: Yoav Shamir (Defamation) and Zhao Liang (Petition)

New Zealand Competition
Best Short Documentary – Winner: Dance of the Instant. Special Mention: Marching On
Best Feature Documentary – Winner: The Unnatural History of the Kakapo
Best Emerging NZ Filmmaker – Winner: Anna McKessar (Five Hours with Raja)
Best Director – Winner: Scott Mouat (The Unnatural History of the Kakapo)
Best Cinematography – Winner: The Unnatural History of the Kakapo
Screenrights Best NZ Educational Documentary – Winner: Dance of the Instant
Best Research – Winner: Dance of the Instant
Best Sound – Winner: The Unnatural History of the Kakapo
Best Editing – Winner: Liquid Stone: Unlocking Gaudi’s Secrets

Outstanding Contribution to NZ Documentary Industry – Gaylene Preston

Posted in 2010 and onwards, Awards, Documentaries, Film News, National Competitions, National News | No Comments »

ZM Single Girls Scavenger Hunt With Crown Limousines

Mar 3rd, 2010 by Sharon

ZM Single Girls Scavenger Hunt With Crown Limousines

ZM Single Girls Scavenger Hunt With Crown Limousines The Amazing Race In Lace Edition thanks to Vodka Cruiser In a Can Grand Prize of $4,000.

ZM’s Single Girls Scavenger Hunt has established itself as a major network station promotion over the past five years attracting thousands of excited listeners every year to take part across New Zealand. In 2010 ZM will run the Christchurch event on the 5th of March at Liquidity, Oxford Tce.

ZM want to also give one lucky team the chance to arrive in style thanks to Crown Limousines. The Event Each girl will arrive in her team of 4 … dressed in team costume … with a strategy on how to WIN!! The ZM announcers will give the teams (four single girls) a list of items, clues & challenges that they must race around town and find or items will range from the ridiculous to the completely impossible to find …ensuring that the most skillful and most deserving team WIN!!

The teams will be sent off into the streets and given a deadline of when to be back with their bag of scavenged items and challenges completed!! The first team back, in the best time, with the most items will win $4,000!!!

Arrive at Liquidity in style thanks to ZM and Crown Limousines! ZM want you and your friends to arrive in style at ZM’s Single Girls Scavenger Hunt Amazing Race in Lace.

One lucky Christchurch participant will win a Crown Limousine ride to the event for them and their three friends! The Crown Limousines will pick the winning four girls up from their house, drive around central Christchurch for half an hour then drop them at Liquidity, Oxford Terrace.

The winners will be greeted at Liquidity by hundreds of girls participating in the event and will feel very special that they arrived in style thanks to Crown Limousines!

Posted in Canterbury Event, Community News, Competitions, Radio News | No Comments »

TVNZ Gains NZ’s First Nomination In The International Digital Emmy Awards

Mar 3rd, 2010 by Sharon

TVNZ Online Drama Gains New Zealand’s First Nomination In The International Digital Emmy Awards

Reservoir Hill was a New Zealand trail-blazer – an exclusively online drama where viewers could interact with the main character. Now, it’s also earned another national first: a nomination in the International Digital Emmy Awards.

General Manager of Content & Delivery Tom Cotter is delighted with Reservoir Hill’s nomination in the prestigious awards. “TVNZ could not have been happier with Reservoir Hill. Its nomination validates TVNZ, KHF Media and New Zealand On Air’s ability to innovate on the world stage. We loved Reservoir Hill and I’m chuffed the international digital community share our enthusiasm.”

The President and CEO of The International Academy, Bruce L Paisner, says, “The 2010 nominees showcase global excellence in programming on digital platforms, and we congratulate them for their outstanding achievements.”

David Stubbs and Thomas Robins, the production masterminds behind the concept, are elated with the achievement.

“We’re thrilled for the team here at KHF Media: the cast, crew and writing team worked tirelessly on a project we were all proud of,” Stubbs says. “It’s also awesome for TVNZ and NZ On Air who backed the unusual and innovative project.”

The series was consistently one of the most viewed shows on TVNZ Ondemand during its eight-week run, and followed 16-year-old Beth Connolly (played by Beth Chote) as she arrived in a mysterious new town where nothing was quite as it seemed.

Comments on social networking site Bebo helped to drive the story forward, as well as viewers who sent text messages to Beth offering her advice after each episode. The messages were then reflected in the weekly drama, as well as in Beth’s video blogs.

Andrew Shaw, TVNZ’s General Manager of Commissioning, Production & Acquisition, was similarly pleased with the success of the project, saying:

“Allowing the audience to see their input reflected back at them is the Holy Grail for modern content creators and broadcasters, and Reservoir Hill nailed it.”

The other nominees in the category hail from countries including China, Canada, Finland, Brazil, Germany and the United Kingdom. The awards ceremony will be held on 12 April 2010.

Posted in 2010 and onwards, Awards, Global News, National News, TV News, TV One | No Comments »

Brittany Murphy’s Will

Mar 3rd, 2010 by Sharon

Actress Brittany Murphy had  left her husband out of her will.

Murphy, who passed away, aged 32 on December 20 2009 – left her entire estate to her mother Sharon Murphy, and nothing to British screenwriter Simon Monjack, it has been claimed.

Her husband, Simon is happy with the way his wife’s assets have been divided, insisting it was on his request that he was not named a beneficiary.

According to the screenwriter, the will specifically said: “I am married to Simon Monjack who I have intentionally left out of this will.”

It is believed that  Brittany originally made a handwritten will years before she was married, which was stored in her manager’s safe and left everything to Sharon.

She then had a formal document drafted, along with a trust, after marrying Simon, but continued to leave all her assets – the value of which is unknown – to her mother, who lived with the couple.

Sharon has now reportedly put their Los Angeles home where her daughter  was found unconscious in the shower for sale for $7.5 million- she and Simon are planning to relocate to New York.

The property was owned by Britney Spears who bought the 8,00 sq m estate in 2003 for just under $4 million.

Posted in 2010 and onwards, Actor/s, Britney Spears, Celebrity Death, Celebrity News, Global News, Movie | No Comments »

New Album By Gotan Project

Mar 3rd, 2010 by Sharon

After 2 million sales and 400 concerts worldwide, Gotan Project are back with their third studio album, the magnificent Tango 3.0.

In 2000 Gotan Project, the trio founded by Philippe Cohen Solal, Eduardo Makaroff and Christoph H. Müller released their debut album La Revancha Del Tango, a record that brought the sound of Argentina to the world. Their music is now familiar, from the cool and chic clubs of New York to the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. Second album “Lunático” (2006) saw Gotan Project breathing more live recording and jazz influence into their sound and also saw them visiting Australia for amazing gigs at Womadelaide, the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne’s Concert Hall.

Tango 3.0 arrives a decade after the group formed, still faithful to its founding principles, but this time featuring a host of exciting guests and collaborators. Dr. John lends the smooth sound of the Hammond B3 to ‘Tango Square’, the work of Argentinean author Jules Cortázar is reincarnated through a reading from his novel Rayuela on the track of the same name. Even Victor Hugo Morales, the legendary football commentator, lends his vocals to first single ‘La Gloria’ (paying homage to his famous goal proclamation that sound tracked Marradonna’s infamous 2nd goal against England)

With their cinematic vision and sonic exploration Gotan Project manage to escape from the box that others may have confined them in.

Tango 3.0 is released on April 16 through XL/ Rhythmethod

Marketing & Promotions by The Label.

Posted in 2010 and onwards, Music, Music/ Songs, National News, New Releases | No Comments »

From Runnaways To Red Carpet

Mar 3rd, 2010 by Sharon

Ever wonder what happens to those beautiful garments models showcase on runnaways? These designer dresses get snapped up our celebrities for events like Ocars!

Red Carpet or Runnaway

Christina Aguilera in this Versace gown, she wore at this year’s Golden Globe Awards.

Posted in 2010 and onwards, Awards, Celebrations, Celebrity News, Fashion & Glamour, Global News | No Comments »

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